JP4500215B2 - Vehicle start determination device and remote control device including the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle start determination device and a remote control device including the same.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a remote control device is known that performs a warm-up operation, for example, by starting a vehicle engine by remotely operating a portable device possessed by a user. Such a remote control device can start an engine of a vehicle parked outdoors, for example, indoors, so that there is a great need particularly in cold regions. Such a remote control device performs stop control of the starter motor when the engine is started, and performs redrive control of the starter motor when the engine does not start even though the starter motor is driven. In order to perform such control, it is necessary to input an engine start detection signal indicating that the engine is started to the remote control device.

As such an engine start determination method, a method for determining based on the battery voltage shown in Patent Document 1 and a method for determining based on the engine speed as shown in Patent Document 2 are well known. . That is, the engine start determination method disclosed in Patent Document 1 determines the start of the engine by detecting the increase in the battery voltage because the battery voltage increases when the engine is started and charging is started by the alternator. To do. The engine start determination method disclosed in Patent Document 2 reads an input pulse to a tachometer from a pulse output unit that outputs a pulse proportional to the engine speed, and determines engine start based on the read value. Is.
JP 2003-148308 A JP-A-10-141186

  However, the conventional vehicle remote control device has the following problems. That is, in the remote control device disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to perform engine start determination based on the battery voltage, it is necessary to set a battery voltage determination threshold value that serves as a reference for determining whether or not the engine is started. However, since the battery voltage fluctuates depending on the operation of an electrical component such as an air conditioner, it is difficult to set the battery voltage determination threshold, and there is a risk of erroneous determination. On the other hand, in the remote control device of Patent Document 2, the processing by software for reading the input pulse from the pulse output means to the tachometer tends to be complicated.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle start determination device capable of determining the operating state of a power source of a vehicle with a simple configuration and a remote equipped with the same. It is to provide a control device.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to visually indicate whether or not the power source of the vehicle is in a start-permitted state, and whether or not a predetermined start-up permission condition for the power source is satisfied. Judgment means for judging, display control means for outputting an operation signal for operating the display means based on a judgment result of the judgment means, and presence / absence of output of an operation signal from the display control means to the display means And starting determination means for determining whether or not the power source is in a start-permitted state based on the above.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle start determination device according to the first aspect, the power source includes a motor driven by electric power of a storage battery mounted on the vehicle, and based on a determination result of the determination means. The gist of the invention is that it includes power supply control means for permitting power supply from the storage battery.

The gist of the invention described in claim 3 is that, in the vehicle start determination device according to claim 2, the electric power of the storage battery is also supplied to auxiliary equipment mounted on the vehicle.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle start determination device according to the second or third aspect, the power source further includes an internal combustion engine, and cranking of the internal combustion engine is performed using electric power of the storage battery. The gist of the invention is that it is provided with starting means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the vehicle start determination device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the display means includes whether or not the power source is in a start-permitted state. The gist of the invention is to include a runnable indicator lamp that visually indicates whether or not the vehicle is in a runnable state.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle start determination device according to the first aspect, the power source is an internal combustion engine, and the display means is a warning light that is turned on or off according to the operating state of the internal combustion engine. That is the gist.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle start determination device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the vehicle is provided with an auxiliary battery that supplies electric power to auxiliary devices mounted on the vehicle, and the warning lamp is provided for the auxiliary battery. The gist of the present invention is that it is a charging warning lamp that is lit when the charging voltage falls below a preset voltage determination threshold.

The invention according to claim 8 is the vehicle start determination device according to claim 6,
The gist of the invention is that the warning light is an internal combustion engine warning light that is turned on when the control system of the internal combustion engine is abnormal.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a predetermined operation condition is established when an operation request signal for requesting an operation of a predetermined vehicle-mounted control object wirelessly transmitted from an external communication device is received by the receiving means. In the remote control device for a vehicle that drives and controls the vehicle-mounted control object as a condition, the operating condition includes that the power source of the vehicle is in a start-permitted state, and whether or not the start-permitted state is in the The gist is that the vehicle start determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is used.

(Function)
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when it is determined by the determination means that the vehicle power source start permission condition set in advance is satisfied and the display means is operated, the display control means is always operated from the display control means. A signal is output. On the other hand, when it is determined by the determining means that the vehicle power source start permission condition set in advance is not satisfied and the display means is not operated, no signal is output from the display control means to the display means. The operation signal is output only when the power source of the vehicle is in a start-permitted state, that is, when the vehicle is ready to travel. For this reason, the start determination means can easily determine whether or not the vehicle is ready to travel only by monitoring the presence or absence of the operation signal. Further, the signal processing in the start determination means is not complicated.

  Incidentally, for example, when the battery voltage is directly taken into the start determination means and the start determination is performed based on the voltage, it is difficult to set the battery voltage determination threshold value that is a reference for the start determination itself. This is because the battery voltage varies depending on the operation of various electrical components. On the other hand, in the present invention, since the start determination is performed based on the presence / absence of the operation signal output based on the result determined by the determination means that the start permission condition is satisfied, the erroneous determination is suppressed. Further, in the engine vehicle, unlike the case where the input pulse to the tachometer is read from the pulse output means for outputting a pulse proportional to the engine speed, and the engine start is determined based on the read value, the present invention. Then, since the start determination is simply based on the presence or absence of the operation signal, no processing by software or the like is required.

According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1, it is possible to determine whether the vehicle running by the motor can be started.
According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 2, the electric power of the storage battery is also supplied to the auxiliary machinery of the vehicle. For this reason, if the power supply to the motor is permitted, the power is naturally supplied to the auxiliary machines. Accordingly, it is possible to visually determine whether or not the auxiliary equipment is in a startable state by the display means. Further, it is possible to determine whether or not the auxiliary machinery is started by monitoring the operation signal.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 2 or claim 3, cranking of the internal combustion engine is performed using the electric power of the storage battery. For this reason, if the power supply to the motor is permitted, the cranking operation of the internal combustion engine is naturally possible. Therefore, not only the motor but also the startable state of the internal combustion engine can be visually confirmed by the display means. Further, it is possible to determine whether or not to start the internal combustion engine by monitoring the presence or absence of the operation signal.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the operation of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the vehicle travels including whether or not the power source is in a start permission state. By providing a travelable indicator lamp that visually indicates whether or not the vehicle is in a possible state, it is possible to make a start determination by monitoring an operation signal output thereto. In particular, when the present invention is applied to a so-called electric vehicle having a motor as a power source as in claim 2 or claim 3, and a so-called hybrid vehicle having both an internal combustion engine and a motor as in claim 4. The start determination of the vehicle system can be particularly preferably performed.

  Here, for example, in a vehicle using only the internal combustion engine as a power source, examples of the display means linked to the operating state of the internal combustion engine include a charging warning lamp and an internal combustion engine warning lamp. However, in general, there are many cases where an electric vehicle and a hybrid vehicle do not have a charging warning light. Therefore, it is not appropriate to make a vehicle system start determination based on the lighting state. Moreover, since the internal combustion engine itself does not exist in the electric vehicle, it is impossible to monitor the operation signal to the internal combustion engine warning light. Further, in a hybrid vehicle, the internal combustion engine may not start even when the vehicle system is started. Therefore, it is not appropriate to make a start determination of the vehicle system based on the presence or absence of an operation signal to the internal combustion engine warning light. For these reasons, it is desirable that an electric vehicle and a hybrid vehicle are provided with a dedicated runnable indicator lamp and a vehicle system start determination is made based on the presence or absence of an operation signal thereto.

  Particularly in recent years, so-called hybrid vehicles are becoming widespread. However, for the reasons described above, it is not appropriate to directly apply the conventional start determination method in a vehicle equipped with only an internal combustion engine to such a vehicle. Under such circumstances, there is also a circumstance that a start determination device suitable for a hybrid vehicle has been desired.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1, in the vehicle using the internal combustion engine as a power source, a warning light that is turned on or off according to the operating state of the internal combustion engine is provided. An internal combustion engine start determination is made based on the lighting state. When the warning light is operated, an activation signal is always output, and when it is not operated, no signal is output. The warning light is turned on or off when the vehicle is ready to run, that is, the internal combustion engine is operated according to the operating state. For this reason, the start determination means simply determines whether or not the vehicle using the internal combustion engine as a power source is ready to travel (whether or not the internal combustion engine is started) only by monitoring the lighting state of the warning light. can do. Further, the signal processing in the start determination means is not complicated.

  Further, in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine as a power source as in claim 6, the start state of the internal combustion engine may be determined based on the lighting state of the charging warning lamp as in claim 7. As in item 8, the starting state of the internal combustion engine may be determined based on the lighting state of the internal combustion engine warning light. Both the charging warning light and the internal combustion engine warning light are warning lights that are turned on or off in accordance with the starting state of the internal combustion engine.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the vehicle start determination device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects determines whether or not the power source of the vehicle is in a start permission state. Is called. According to this start determination device, the determination is easily performed, and signal processing in the start determination means is not complicated, so that remote control by the remote control device is also simplified.

  According to the present invention, the operating state of the power source of the vehicle can be determined with a simple configuration.

<First embodiment; hybrid vehicle>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a remote control system that starts a vehicle by a remote operation and performs a warm-up operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the vehicle 11 is configured as a so-called hybrid vehicle using an engine 12 and a main battery 13 as power sources. The vehicle system (hybrid system) of the vehicle 11 incorporates a remote control system 14 for starting the system by remote operation. The remote control system 14 will be described in detail later. First, the configuration of the vehicle 11 on which the remote control system 14 is incorporated will be described. The vehicle 11 includes a hybrid system control device 15 that controls the entire vehicle 11.

<Input side>
A power supply control device 16 is connected to the input side of the hybrid system control device 15, and a key slot (not shown), a power switch, a power supply relay circuit 17 and the like are connected to the input side of the power supply control device 16. . An electronic key (not shown) possessed by the user is inserted into the key slot, and the insertion state of the electronic key is detected and output to the power supply control device 16. The power switch is operated by the user when starting the vehicle system or the like, and outputs an operation signal to the power supply control device 16. The power supply relay circuit 17 includes an accessory relay 17a and an ignition relay 17b. When these are driven (turned on), power from an auxiliary battery 41 described later can be supplied to the accessory circuit 18 and the starting auxiliary circuit 19, respectively.

  The power supply control device 16 drives the power supply relay circuit 17 (more precisely, the accessory relay 17a and the ignition relay 17b) in response to a user's operation of the power switch or a remote start request signal from the remote control system 14 described later. While controlling, a vehicle system starting signal is output to the hybrid system control apparatus 15. In addition, the power supply control device 16 is operated in combination with a brake pedal operation (not shown) to operate the power switch of the vehicle 11, that is, an off position (OFF), an accessory position (ACC), an ignition on position (IG-ON). ) Switch the vehicle system start position.

  A door courtesy switch 21, a key switch 22, a shift position switch 23, and a bonnet switch 24 are connected to the input side of the hybrid system control device 15, respectively. The door courtesy switch 21 detects the open / closed state of the vehicle door. The key switch 22 detects whether or not an electronic key is inserted into a key slot (not shown) on the vehicle side. The shift position switch 23 detects whether or not a shift lever (not shown) is in the parking position. The bonnet switch 24 detects the open / closed state of a bonnet (not shown). Thereby, the safety check etc. of the vehicle 11 are attained.

<Output side>
A main battery 13, a converter 31, an inverter 32, an engine control device 33, and a combination meter 34 are connected to the output side of the hybrid system control device 15. A converter 31 and an inverter 32 are connected to the output side of the main battery 13, and an auxiliary battery 41 is connected to the output side of the converter 31. A generator (generator) 43, a running motor 44, and an electric compressor 42 are connected to the output side of the inverter 32, respectively. The combination meter 34 includes a travelable indicator lamp 34a, and lights up when the vehicle 11 is in a travelable state.

The main battery 13 supplies electric power for traveling of the vehicle 11 to a traveling motor 44 described later, and stores electric power regenerated by the generator 43 during deceleration.
The converter 31 steps down the electric power generated by the motor 44 and the generator 43 to a predetermined voltage (for example, 12V) and charges the auxiliary battery 41, and the main unit for driving the motor 44 and the generator 43. A boost converter that boosts the voltage from the battery 13 to a predetermined value is included. The power of the auxiliary battery 41 is supplied to auxiliary devices such as an audio device, an air conditioner, and lamps (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 11.

  The inverter 32 includes a motor inverter that converts a DC voltage from the main battery 13 into an AC voltage for driving the motor 44, a generator inverter that also converts the DC voltage into an AC voltage for driving the generator 43, and an electric compressor 42. It includes an inverter for air conditioning that converts it into an alternating voltage for driving.

  The motor 44 mainly assists the output of the engine, increases the driving force, and generates power by the regenerative brake during deceleration. The generator 43 generates high voltage by the engine output and also functions as a starter when the engine is started. The electric compressor 42 is driven by the AC voltage from the inverter 32 using the main battery 13 as a power source, and performs suction, compression and discharge of the refrigerant gas. Further, since the electric compressor 42 is driven by a built-in motor (not shown), stable air conditioning control is possible regardless of the operating state of the engine 12.

  The hybrid system control device 15 obtains an engine output and a motor torque corresponding to the driving state based on an accelerator opening signal from an accelerator position sensor (not shown) and signals from various sensors such as a shift position signal from the shift position sensor. . The hybrid system control device 15 outputs the engine output request value to the engine control device 33 and outputs the motor torque request value to the inverter 32 to control the driving force of the vehicle 11. The engine control device 33 controls the drive of the engine 12 based on the engine output request value from the hybrid system control device 15. The inverter 32 outputs a predetermined AC voltage to the traveling motor 44 based on the motor torque request value from the hybrid system control device 15.

<Overview of hybrid system operation>
Now, when the user gets into the vehicle 11 and the power switch is operated, the power supply control device 16 collates the ID signal transmitted at a predetermined cycle from an electronic key (not shown) with the ID code on the vehicle side. The power supply relay circuit 17, that is, the accessory relay 17a and the ignition relay 17b are driven (turned on) on condition that they match. Further, the power supply control device 16 outputs a hybrid system activation signal Sh to the hybrid system control device 15.

  In response to the hybrid system activation signal Sh, the hybrid system control device 15 performs a predetermined activation such as whether or not various sensors, the engine 12, the main battery 13, the generator 43, the traveling motor 44, and the like can normally operate. The possible conditions are checked, and if there is no abnormality, operation permission signals for the converter 31 and the inverter 32 are output. As a result, the converter 31 and the inverter 32 operate and the main battery 13 and the auxiliary battery 41 can be used.

  As a result, the electric power from the main battery 13 is supplied to the traveling motor 44 via the inverter 32. Further, the power from the auxiliary battery 41 is supplied to the accessory circuit 18 and the starting auxiliary circuit 19 via the power supply relay circuit 17 so that auxiliary equipment such as a car audio, a car air conditioner, and a wiper can be started. Accordingly, the hybrid system control device 15 determines that the vehicle 11 is ready to run (hereinafter referred to as “runnable state”), and outputs an indicator operation signal S1 to the runnable indicator lamp 34a. In response to this indicator operation signal Sl, the travelable indicator lamp 34a is turned on. The user can visually determine whether or not the vehicle 11 can travel by viewing the lighting state of the travelable indicator lamp.

<Remote control system>
On the premise of such a system configuration, a remote control system 14 is incorporated in the vehicle 11. The remote control system 14 is connected to the input side of the power supply control device 16. The remote control system 14 includes a portable device 51 carried by the user, a remote control device 52 mounted on the vehicle 11, and a receiving circuit 53. It has. A door courtesy switch 21, a key switch 22, a shift position switch 23, and a bonnet switch 24 are branched and connected to the input side of the remote control device 52, respectively. The power supply control device 16 is connected to the output side of the remote control device 52.

  In the present embodiment, the portable device 51 is configured as a dedicated device for operating the remote control system 14. The portable device 51 has a predetermined wireless communication function, and transmits a start request signal for requesting the start of the vehicle system by a predetermined operation by the user. The remote control device 52 receives the start request signal sent from the portable device 51 via the receiving circuit 53. The remote control device 52 determines whether the vehicle 11 is in a safe state based on detection signals output from the door courtesy switch 21, the key switch 22, the shift position switch 23, and the bonnet switch 24 (for example, the vehicle door is open). Check if there is. Thereafter, when the remote control device 52 determines that the vehicle 11 is in a safe state, the portable device side ID code included in the start request signal transmitted from the portable device 51 and the vehicle side ID code stored in advance are used. The predetermined vehicle system is activated on the condition that the two ID codes are matched with each other. The vehicle system start-up process will be described in detail later.

<Remote start processing of vehicle system>
Next, the remote start processing of the vehicle system by the remote control system configured as described above will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG. This flowchart is executed in accordance with a remote start program stored in advance in a ROM (read only memory) (not shown) of the remote control device 52. Hereinafter, the step of the remote control device 52 is abbreviated as “S”.

  When the user intends to start the vehicle system by remote control for the purpose of warming up the vehicle 11, the user operates the portable device 51. Then, a start request signal for requesting start of the vehicle system is output from the portable device 51.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2, when the remote control device 52 receives a start request signal (start signal) from the portable device 51 via the receiving circuit 53 (S1), the vehicle 11 is controlled based on the detection signal from each switch. Determine whether it is in a safe state. When the remote control device 52 determines that the vehicle 11 is in a safe state, the remote control device 52 compares the ID code on the portable device 51 side included in the start request signal with the ID code on the vehicle side stored in advance, and both ID codes The drive request signal Sd of the power supply relay circuit 17 is output to the power supply control device 16 on the condition that the two match. Receiving this drive request signal Sd, the power supply control device 16 drives the power supply relay circuit 17 (S2). Then, power is supplied to the accessory circuit 18 and the starting auxiliary circuit 19 respectively.

  In addition, the remote control device 52 outputs a system activation request signal Ss requesting the start of the vehicle system to the power supply control device 16. In response to this, the power supply control device 16 outputs a hybrid system activation signal Sh to the hybrid system control device 15 (S3).

Next, the remote control device 52 determines whether or not the runnable indicator lamp 34a is turned on, that is, whether the indicator operation signal Sl has been detected (S4).
When the remote control device 52 is able to detect the indicator operation signal S1 (YES in S4), it is determined that the vehicle 11 is in a travelable state (S5), and the remote control device 52 outputs the system activation request signal Ss. Stop (S6). As a result, the output of the hybrid system activation signal Sh from the power supply control device 16 is also stopped, and when the engine 12 is cranked by the generator 43 when the vehicle system is activated (when the charging voltage of the main battery 13 decreases and the engine The cranking is stopped when it is cold). At this time, the power supply relay circuit 17 is maintained in the driving state. Thereby, the vehicle 11 is maintained in a travelable state, and warm-up control is performed (S7). The warm-up control includes, for example, air conditioning control by an air conditioner (more precisely, the electric compressor 42), and the operation mode of the air conditioner operates in a mode set last by the user.

  During this warm-up control, the remote control device 52 determines whether or not the runnable indicator lamp 34a has been turned off (S8). When it is detected that the runnable indicator lamp 34a is turned off, that is, when the indicator operation signal S1 is not detected (YES in S8), the remote control device 52 is connected to the power supply relay circuit 17 via the power supply control device 16. Is stopped (S9), and the remote start process of the vehicle system is terminated. In S8, when it is not detected that the travelable indicator lamp 34a is turned off (NO in S8), the remote control device 52 proceeds to S7 and continues the warm-up operation of the vehicle 11.

  On the other hand, in S4, when the remote control device 52 cannot detect the indicator operation signal S1 (NO in S4), it is determined that the vehicle 11 is in an inoperable state (S10). Then, the remote control device 52 determines whether or not the travel impossibility determination has reached three times (S11). When the remote control device 52 determines that the travel impossibility determination has reached three times (YES in S11), the process proceeds to S9. If the remote control device 52 determines in S11 that the travel impossibility determination has not reached three times (NO in S11), it stops driving the power supply relay circuit 17 via the power supply control device 16 (S12). , The process shifts to S1.

Thereafter, the remote control device 52 executes the above-described process every time a start request signal for the vehicle system is received from the portable device 51 when the vehicle system is stopped.
<Effect of embodiment>
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) The vehicle 11 includes a runnable indicator lamp 34a that visually indicates whether or not the engine 12 and the motor 44 that are power sources are in a start-permitted state. Further, the vehicle 11 determines whether or not a preset start permission condition for the engine 12 and the motor 44 is satisfied, and on the basis of the determination result, the indicator activation signal Sl for operating the runnable indicator lamp 34a. And a hybrid system control device 15 that outputs. Then, based on the presence / absence of the output of the indicator operation signal S1 from the hybrid system control device 15 to the travel enable indicator lamp 34a, the vehicle 11 can determine whether or not the engine 12 and the motor 44 are in the start-permitted state. A remote control device 52 for determining whether or not the state is present is provided.

  When the travelable indicator lamp 34a is operated, the indicator activation signal S1 is always output from the hybrid system control device 15 to the travelable indicator lamp 34a. When the travelable indicator lamp 34a is not operated, no signal is output. The travel enable indicator lamp 34a is lit when the vehicle 11 is ready to travel. For this reason, the remote control device 52 can easily determine whether or not the vehicle 11 is in a travelable state only by looking at the presence or absence of the indicator operation signal S1. Further, the signal processing in the remote control device 52 can be simplified.

  By the way, for example, when the battery voltage is directly taken into the remote control system 14 (more precisely, the remote control device 52) and the start determination is made based on the voltage, the battery serving as a reference for the start determination Setting the voltage judgment threshold itself is difficult. This is because the battery voltage varies depending on the operation of various electrical components. In the present embodiment, since the start determination is performed based on the presence or absence of the indicator activation signal S1 output based on the result determined that the hybrid system control device 15 is in the travelable state, at least the erroneous determination in the remote control device 52 is performed. Is suppressed. Also, in the engine vehicle, unlike the case where the input pulse to the tachometer is read from the pulse output means for outputting a pulse proportional to the engine speed, and the engine start is determined based on the read value, the indicator is simply used. Since the start determination is made based on the presence / absence of the operation signal S1, no software processing is required.

  (2) The electric power of the main battery 13 is also supplied to the auxiliary machinery of the vehicle 11 through the converter 31. For this reason, if the power supply to the motor 44 is permitted, the power is naturally supplied to the auxiliary machines. Accordingly, it is possible to visually determine whether or not the auxiliary equipment can be started by the travelable indicator lamp 34a. Further, it is possible to determine whether or not the auxiliary machinery is started by monitoring the indicator operation signal S1.

  (3) The generator 43 that performs cranking of the engine 12 using the power of the main battery 13 is provided. For this reason, if the power supply to the motor 44 is permitted, the cranking operation of the engine 12 is naturally possible. Therefore, not only the motor 44 but also the startable state of the engine 12 can be visually confirmed by the travelable indicator lamp 34a. Further, it is possible to determine whether or not the engine 12 is started by monitoring the presence or absence of the indicator operation signal S1.

  (5) A travelable indicator lamp 34a that is turned on when the hybrid system control device 15 determines that the vehicle 11 is in a travelable state is provided. Then, based on the presence or absence of the indicator activation signal S1 output from the hybrid system control device 15 to the travelable indicator lamp 34a, whether or not the vehicle 11 is in a travelable state, in other words, whether or not the engine 12 and the motor 44 can be started. Judgment was made. For this reason, the start determination of the vehicle system in a so-called hybrid vehicle can be suitably performed.

  Here, examples of display means that are turned on or off in conjunction with the operating states of the engine 12 and the motor 44 include a charging warning light and an engine warning light. However, in general, there are many cases where there is no charge warning light in a hybrid vehicle, so it is not appropriate to make a vehicle system start determination based on the lighting state. Further, in a hybrid vehicle, the engine may not start even when the vehicle system is activated. Therefore, it is not appropriate to determine whether to start the vehicle system based on the lighting state of the engine warning light. For these reasons, in a hybrid vehicle, it is desirable to provide a dedicated runnable indicator lamp 34a and make a vehicle system start determination based on the presence or absence of a signal thereto.

  In recent years, so-called hybrid vehicles have become widespread in which two types of power sources, an engine and an electric motor, are combined to make the most of their strengths and make up for weak points to enable highly efficient driving. . However, for the reasons described above, it is not appropriate to directly apply the conventional start determination method in such a vehicle equipped with only an engine. Under such circumstances, there is also a circumstance that a start determination device suitable for a hybrid vehicle has been desired.

<Second Embodiment; Engine Car>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the vehicle 11 uses only an engine as a power source. Therefore, the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle 61 is provided with a vehicle control device 62 that controls each part of the vehicle 61, and a combination meter 34 is connected to the output side of the vehicle control device 62. The combination meter 34 includes a charging warning lamp 63 and an engine warning lamp 64. Both the charging warning lamp 63 and the engine warning lamp 64 are turned on or off according to the operating state of the engine 12. That is, the charging warning lamp 63 is lit during the start control of the engine 12, the charging voltage is sufficient after the engine 12 is turned on (the charging voltage is equal to or higher than a preset voltage determination threshold), and there is no abnormality in the charging system. Sometimes goes off. The engine warning light 64 is turned on during the start control of the engine 12, and is turned off when there is no abnormality in the engine control system after the engine 12 is started. On the other hand, a starter circuit 67 is connected to the output side of the remote control device 52 via a starter relay 66. When the starter relay 66 is driven, electric power from the battery 65 is supplied to the starter circuit 67. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, even when the power supply relay circuit 17 (the accessory relay 17a and the ignition relay 17b) is driven, the power from the battery 65 is supplied to the accessory circuit 18 and the starting auxiliary circuit 19. Yes. Then, the remote control device 52 determines the start of the vehicle 61 based on the presence / absence of the operation signal Sb output from the vehicle control device 62 to the charging warning light 63 or the presence / absence of the operation signal Se output to the engine warning light 64. Do.

Next, the remote starting process of the vehicle system by the remote control system configured as described above will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, when receiving the start request signal (start signal) from the portable device 51 via the receiving circuit 53 (S21), the remote control device 52 drives the power supply relay circuit 17 (S22). Then, the power from the battery 65 is supplied to the accessory circuit 18 and the auxiliary start circuit 19 respectively. Further, the remote control device 52 drives the starter relay 66 (S23). Then, power from the battery 65 is supplied to the starter circuit 67, and the engine 12 is cranked.

  Next, the remote control device 52 determines whether the charging warning lamp 63 or the engine warning lamp 64 is turned off based on the presence or absence of the operation signal Sb or the operation signal Se (S24). When the operation signal Sb or the operation signal Se cannot be detected (YES in S24), the remote control device 52 determines that the vehicle 61 is in the engine start state (travelable state) (S25), and the remote control device 52 The starter relay 66 is stopped (S26). Thereby, the cranking of the engine 12 is stopped. At this time, the power supply relay circuit 17 is maintained in the driving state. Thereby, the vehicle 11 is maintained in a travelable state, and warm-up control is performed (S27).

  During this warm-up control, the remote control device 52 determines whether or not the lighting of the charging warning lamp 63 or the engine warning lamp 64 is detected (S28). When the lighting of the charging warning lamp 63 or the engine warning lamp 64 is detected, that is, when the operation signal Sb or the operation signal Se is detected (YES in S28), the remote control device 52 drives the power supply relay circuit 17. Is stopped (S29), and the remote starting process of the vehicle system is terminated. In S28, when the remote control device 52 does not detect the lighting of the charging warning light 63 or the engine warning light 64 (NO in S28), the remote control device 52 proceeds to S27 and continues the warm-up operation of the vehicle 11. .

  On the other hand, in S24, when it is not detected that the charging warning lamp 63 or the engine warning lamp 64 is turned off, that is, when the operation signal Sb or the operation signal Se is detected (NO in S24), the vehicle 11 is in the engine stop state ( It is determined that the vehicle cannot travel (S30). Then, the remote control device 52 determines whether or not the engine stop determination has reached three times (S31). When the remote control device 52 determines that the engine stop determination has reached three times (YES in S31), the process proceeds to S29. In S31, when it is determined that the engine stop determination has not reached three times (NO in S31), the remote control device 52 stops driving the power supply relay circuit 17 (S32), and the process proceeds to S21.

Thereafter, each time the vehicle system is stopped and the vehicle system (engine 12) start request signal is received from the portable device 51, the remote control device 52 executes the above-described processing.
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. That is, when the charging warning lamp 63 or the engine warning lamp 64 is operated, the operation signal Sb or the operation signal Se is always output, and when the same is not operated, no signal is output. The charging warning lamp 63 or the engine warning lamp 64 is turned off when the vehicle 11 is ready to travel, that is, when the charging voltage of the battery 65 is sufficient or when the engine 12 is normally applied. It is. For this reason, the remote control device 52 simply determines whether or not the vehicle 61 using the engine 12 as a power source is ready to run (whether the engine 12 has been started) only by checking the presence or absence of the charging warning light 63 or the engine warning light 64. Whether or not) can be easily determined. Further, the signal processing in the remote control device 52 can be simplified.

<Another embodiment>
In addition, you may implement both the said embodiment as follows.
-You may make it abbreviate | omit the process of S11 in 1st Embodiment, and S31 in 2nd Embodiment. That is, even if the vehicle system is to be remotely started, no retry process is performed when the vehicle system is not started.

  -In 1st and 2nd embodiment, you may make it use the starting determination result of the vehicle system by the remote control apparatus 52 in the other system mounted in a vehicle. For example, in an electric power steering system, if steering assist is executed while the vehicle system is stopped, a large amount of battery power is consumed, and the battery may run out. For this reason, steering assist by the electric power steering system is often prohibited while the vehicle system is stopped. In order to perform such control, it is necessary to detect the start state of the vehicle system, and the start determination result by the remote control system 14 of this embodiment can be used.

In the first and second embodiments, the remote control device 52 may be provided with a timer (not shown) and automatically stop when the warm-up operation is continued for a certain time.
In the first and second embodiments, the portable device 51 dedicated to the remote control system 14 is provided, but it may also be used as a portable device or a remote control key as a normal electronic key. Incidentally, when the dedicated portable device 51 is provided as in the first and second embodiments, it is suitable for the case where the remote control system 14 is retrofitted.

-You may make it mount the remote control system 14 in 1st Embodiment in what is called an electric vehicle which uses as a power source the motor driven with the electric power from the battery which is not shown in figure.
In the second embodiment, the start determination of the engine 12 is performed based on the lighting state of the charging warning light 63 or the engine warning light 64. However, both the charging warning light 63 and the engine warning light 64 are turned on. Based on this, the engine 12 may be determined to start.

  In the first and second embodiments, the start determination device according to the present invention is embodied in the remote control system 14, but may be embodied in other vehicle-mounted systems that require the start determination result of the vehicle system. Good. For example, it may be embodied in the electric power steering system described above.

The block diagram which shows the outline of the vehicle system in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which similarly shows the remote starting process of a vehicle system. The block diagram which shows the outline of the vehicle system in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which similarly shows the remote starting process of a vehicle system.

Explanation of symbols

11, 61 ... vehicle, 12 ... engine (power source, internal combustion engine, vehicle-mounted control object),
13 ... main battery (power source, storage battery), 14 ... remote control system (remote control device),
15 ... Hybrid system control device (determination means, display control means),
16 ... Power supply control device (power supply control means),
34a ... Travel indicator lamp (display means),
41 ... Auxiliary battery (auxiliary storage battery), 42 ... Electric compressor (on-vehicle control object),
43 ... Generator (starting means), 44 ... Motor (vehicle-mounted control target),
51. Portable device (external communication device),
52 ... Remote control device (start determination means, start determination device), 53 ... Reception circuit (reception means),
62 ... Vehicle control device (determination means, display control means), 63 ... Charging warning light (display means), 64 ... Engine warning light (display means, internal combustion engine warning light), 65 ... Battery (power source),
Sl ... Indicator operation signal, Sb, Se ... Operation signal.

Claims (9)

Display means for visually indicating whether or not the vehicle power source is in a start-permitted state; and
A judging means for judging whether or not a preset start permission condition for the power source is satisfied;
Display control means for outputting an operation signal for operating the display means based on a determination result of the determination means;
A start determination device for a vehicle, comprising: start determination means for determining whether or not the power source is in a start permission state based on whether or not an operation signal is output from the display control means to the display means. The vehicle start determination device according to claim 1,
The power source includes a motor driven by electric power of a storage battery mounted on the vehicle,
A vehicle start determination device including power supply control means for permitting power supply from the storage battery based on a determination result of the determination means. In the vehicle start determination device according to claim 2,
A start determination device for a vehicle, wherein the power of the storage battery is also supplied to auxiliary devices mounted on the vehicle. In the vehicle start determination device according to claim 2 or 3,
The power source further includes an internal combustion engine, and a vehicle start determination device including start means for performing cranking of the internal combustion engine by using electric power of the storage battery. In the vehicle start determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The vehicle start determination device includes a travel enable indicator lamp that visually displays whether or not the vehicle is in a travelable state including whether or not the power source is in a start permitted state. The vehicle start determination device according to claim 1,
The power source is an internal combustion engine;
The vehicle start determination device, wherein the display means is a warning light that is turned on or off according to the operating state of the internal combustion engine. Auxiliary storage battery that supplies power to auxiliary equipment mounted on the vehicle,
The vehicle start determination device according to claim 6, wherein the warning light is a charge warning light that is turned on when a charging voltage of the auxiliary storage battery falls below a preset voltage determination threshold value. In the vehicle start determination device according to claim 6,
The vehicle start determination device is an internal combustion engine warning light that is turned on when the control system of the internal combustion engine is abnormal. Drive control of the in-vehicle control object on condition that a predetermined operation condition is satisfied when an operation request signal for requesting the operation of the predetermined in-vehicle control object transmitted wirelessly from an external communication device is received In a vehicle remote control device,
The operation condition includes that the power source of the vehicle is in a start-permitted state, and the determination as to whether or not the start-up permitted state is in the start-permitted state is the start of the vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A remote control device for a vehicle, which is performed by a determination device.

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